Leo's Blog Discussion Mega-Thread

[Nilsi]

2 hours ago, Cubbage said:

I don't really like Swans overall, but this song is one of my all-time favourites:

 

+1 on this being an all-time favorite.

[Nemra]

"All hail king Jesus" preach was hilarious. 😂

I would be more careful of Orthodox Christians. They are more cunning and strategic.

Edited Friday at 05:17 PM by Nemra

[Leo Gura]

6 hours ago, Applegarden8 said:

I did not find any value in this quote.

There might be value in developing a sense of humor.

[Leo Gura]

4 hours ago, integral said:

Do you like any other genres? 

Those are the genres I like.

[Applegarden8]

12 minutes ago, Leo Gura said:

There might be value in developing a sense of humor.

Well, at least you are a good sport, what can I say.

[Nilsi]

15 minutes ago, Leo Gura said:

Those are the genres I like.

Does your idea of “great taste” transcend genres and modalities, or is it just about which genre is most tasteful? 

Again, I’d be interested in what you would consider tasteful rock music for example - or do you find rock as a genre inherently distasteful?

[Leo Gura]

33 minutes ago, Nilsi said:

Does your idea of “great taste” transcend genres and modalities, or is it just about which genre is most tasteful? 

My taste is not limited by genre.

But there are some genres I generally dislike, not strictly due to them being bad, but just not my style.

For example I will never like heavy metal or dubstep, no matter how well made it is.

I also just don't care for classical music. Obviously classical has a lot of taste and art in it. But just too dry and boring for me. It's like watching nuns fuck.

Quote

Again, I’d be interested in what you would consider tasteful rock music for example - or do you find rock as a genre inherently distasteful?

I rarely like rock. The harder the rock, the worse it gets for me. Softer rock is better.

I am very sensitive to harsh grating sounds. I hate dubstep.

Edited Friday at 08:33 PM by Leo Gura

[Natasha Tori Maru]

The musical aspect of this discussion turn is fascinating to me. 

I utilise music/sound to alter my conscious state every day.

I have visceral body reactions to even humming brown noise. 

I have my own likes in musical genres, but I find exploring and sitting with albums and genres I wouldn't normally listen to, extremely beneficial. Often I have to sit with a piece that is grating, but I can find gems that resonate in unexpected ways.

Doing this has expanded my own consciousness. 

Do you challenge yourself with new genres outside your typical likes, Leo? 

To me, music is a tool that assist in delving into a state where realisations flood into me as if being downloaded 

Edited Friday at 08:44 PM by Natasha Tori Maru

[manuel bon]

15 minutes ago, Leo Gura said:

I also just don't care for classical music. Obviously classical has a lot of taste and art in it. But just too dry and boring for me. It's like watching nuns fuck.

I am a classical musician, and also for me it's pretty boring sometimes.

Classical music is generally for the 'elite', and it's very uncommon that someone who's not a musician really appreciates it. 

It very sophisticated, and most of the time you need to be understand it to be able to really appreciate it (and to understand it you need to be a musician, or at least you should know some theory).

Even if I think that it's often boring, I also have to say that there are many classical pieces which are so great and deeply touching that go emotional beyond any other music genre.

[Leo Gura]

24 minutes ago, Natasha Tori Maru said:

Do you challenge yourself with new genres outside your typical likes, Leo? 

I am extremely picky with music. I will not listen to anything unless I love it. And that's a high bar to clear.

I am open to listening to any song for 10-20 seconds in the middle. If I don't love it, I move on. Life is too short for listening to mediocre music.

Edited Friday at 09:07 PM by Leo Gura

[Nemra]

I like neoclassical and baroque music. They have a strange way of moving me deeply.

Edited Friday at 09:17 PM by Nemra

[Nilsi]

49 minutes ago, Leo Gura said:

My taste is not limited by genre.

But there are some genres I generally dislike, not strictly due to them being bad, but just not my style.

For example I will never like heavy metal or dubstep, no matter how well made it is.

I also just don't care for classical music. Obviously classical has a lot of taste and art in it. But just too dry and boring for me. It's like watching nuns fuck.

I rarely like rock. The harder the rock, the worse it gets for me. Softer rock is better.

I am very sensitive to harsh grating sounds. I hate dubstep.

But don’t you think a robust theory of aesthetics should avoid approaching the subject with a predetermined stance on which genres are worth engaging with and which aren’t - perhaps even seeing this openness as necessary?

For most of my life, I couldn’t stand metal. But at some point, I made the conscious decision to explore the genre, listening to its most acclaimed albums. To my surprise, I found a lot to appreciate.

What I’m really interested in - and the reason I’m seeking this discussion in the first place - is whether a "post-postmodernist" theory of aesthetics exists that moves beyond the relativist stance of all art is the same yet still recognizes that greatness can emerge in any genre or modality. If such a framework exists, I suspect that to truly grasp it, one must deliberately engage with the most uncomfortable and alien artistic forms.

Edited Friday at 09:19 PM by Nilsi

[Nilsi]

9 minutes ago, Leo Gura said:

I am open to listening to any song for 10-20 seconds in the middle. 

That’s a poor approach to epistemology. To understand a song or album - especially one outside your comfort zone - you have to take the time to listen to it in its entirety. Only then can you start grasping what it’s really about.

After all, you wouldn’t expect someone who listens to just 20 seconds of one of your videos, with no prior frame of reference for what you’re doing, to get much out of it.

[Nilsi]

38 minutes ago, Natasha Tori Maru said:

I have my own likes in musical genres, but I find exploring and sitting with albums and genres I wouldn't normally listen to, extremely beneficial. Often I have to sit with a piece that is grating, but I can find gems that resonate in unexpected ways.

Doing this has expanded my own consciousness. 

Totally agree.

[Davino]

Really loved the last quote. This can be one of the best episodes, it's a new fresh angle to look into the Mind of God.

[Yimpa]

Meh, the last quote was mid 

[ExploringReality]

Man in LA it's infused with gang rap. Especially Inglewood and south Central. Imagine Leo in a blue face music video.

 

 

[Davino]

16 minutes ago, Yimpa said:

Meh, the last quote was mid 

The last quote is brilliant 

If you have been there, it rings profoundly true and brings you back to that realisation.

[integral]

@ExploringReality but the way you experience life first hand, this music is, representing that correct? You find this music enjoyable because you like the fantasy that it's telling?

Not liking heavy metal is more about how it's not how you experience reality.

It's not aligned with the way you experience reality so the music doesn't sound good.

Music preference is not arbitrary.

Hippies enjoy Kumbaya bleeding heart music for a very good reason.

Edited Friday at 10:01 PM by integral

[Leo Gura]

48 minutes ago, Nilsi said:

But don’t you think a robust theory of aesthetics should avoid approaching the subject with a predetermined stance on which genres are worth engaging with and which aren’t - perhaps even seeing this openness as necessary?

Look, eventually everyone has to draw a line somewhere.

Are you open to eating a cockroach omelet?

Why are you so closedminded? Maybe you'll like it.

Eventually you reach a point in life where you understand yourself well enough that you know what you like and don't like.

If you wish to pursue a life of endless openmindedness and experimentation, go for it! But don't expect others to follow you.

Quote

For most of my life, I couldn’t stand metal. But at some point, I made the conscious decision to explore the genre, listening to its most acclaimed albums. To my surprise, I found a lot to appreciate.

Sure, there is a tradeoff, cost/benefit to exploration of new territory. That will always be the case. The cost is you will have to suffer through a lot of shitty music. If you want to pay that cost, go for it.

Quote

What I’m really interested in - and the reason I’m seeking this discussion in the first place - is whether a "post-postmodernist" theory of aesthetics exists that moves beyond the relativist stance of all art is the same yet still recognizes that greatness can emerge in any genre or modality. If such a framework exists, I suspect that to truly grasp it, one must deliberately engage with the most uncomfortable and alien artistic forms.

I don't understand how the framework you want is different from my position.

The highest framework would be to see the absolute beauty in everything. But I'm not sure that's what you're asking for.

There is an epic set of books about how to develop an objective aesthetics beyond post-modernism. It's called The Nature Of Order.

https://amzn.to/3Fbvvo8 (aff link)

That's what I think you're asking for.

Edited Friday at 10:04 PM by Leo Gura